Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young has been fined $7,014.19 by the NFL for a missed facemask penalty on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. The controversial call occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 30-20 victory over the Vikings when Darnold dropped back into his own end zone.
With the Vikings trailing by eight points and under two minutes remaining, Darnold was sacked by Young. However, the replay clearly showed Young grabbing Darnold’s facemask, which should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the Vikings. The missed call resulted in a safety, notching two points and sealing the game for LA.
Rams OLB, Young Fined $7k for Facemask Penalty
Immediately after the play, Young grasped his helmet as if recognizing his mistake. But on social media, he chalked it up to the incredibly loud reaction to the play from the home crowd.
The missed call significantly impacted the outcome of the game, as the Vikings were unable to mount a comeback. While Darnold acknowledged the impact of the penalty, he also emphasized the need for the Vikings’ offense to perform more consistently.
“As an offense, we’ve got to just be more consistent,” Darnold told reporters. “The facemask, it is what it is. I thought we could have done a lot to not put ourselves in the situation we were in.”
